Effect of Management on Water Quality in North American Forests

A supporting technical document for the 1993 Update of the 1989 RPA Assessment

Since passage of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act amendments in
1972, considerable progress has been made in reducing point sources of pollution. Less
progress has been made in controlling possible nonpoint sources of pollution such as road
construction, timber harvest, and recreation use. This report summarizes available
information about the effects of forest management on water quality.

Highlights include the following:

The quality of water draining forested watersheds is typically the best
in the Nation.

Some forest management practices can seriously impair streamwater
quality, with sediment being the main concern.

Best management practices, when followed, can avoid most of the harmful
effects of forest management.